Law century defies cheeky Sussex victory exhibition

There was a mischievous little piece of triumphalism here yesterday when Sussex staged an exhibition in the pavilion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their NatWest Trophy final victory over Lancashire. It was put together by Rob Boddie, the club's ebullient librarian, and is mischievous because this year's County Championship could be decided by the current match between the two sides, who will also play in the final of the C&G Trophy this month.

Imran Khan, a fifty-maker on that day in 1986, struts and preens once more and so does Garth Le Roux. But it takes more than such artifice to put Stuart Law off his game. In six summers for Essex, Law did not score a century against Sussex. But since joining Lancashire in 2002 his record against the county is remarkable - in 11 championship innings he has scored 218, 147, 45 not out, 96, 7, 163 not out, 171 not out, 25, 42, 21 and, yesterday, 102 not out; that's 1,037 runs at an average of 148.

This was the 75th first-class hundred of his brilliant career and although he will be 38 in two months his batting was as skilfully irreverent as ever. He has faced only 146 balls and hit 14 fours and a two sixes in his chanceless innings.

Jason Lewry had taken a wicket in each of his first two overs and when he struck again, having Iain Sutcliffe caught behind in the first over of his return, Lancashire were 71 for three. But they had a big last session, with Law and the wicketkeeper Gareth Cross putting on an unbeaten 101. Cross reached his fifty off 46 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. He hit Mushtaq Ahmed for a straight six and three fours in one over and shortly afterwards the leg-spinner hobbled from the field with a groin injury, adding to his continuing neck problems.

Earlier Sussex, resuming on 282 for five, added 157 as Matthew Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins extended their sixth-wicket stand to 174. The partnership was broken when Martin-Jenkins, struck on the toe as he attempted to work to leg, was lbw to Gareth Keedy for 73. But Prior, 69 overnight, continued to strike the ball with great force and scored 112 before he edged the irrepressible Dominic Cork to the wicketkeeper. "He struck the ball exceptionally well," said the watching chairman of selectors David Graveney. Is it too early to launch a Prior for Chris Read campaign?

When Prior was seventh out, at 347, the impetus of the Sussex recovery, which had started at 161 for five, was maintained by Luke Wright, who made an unbeaten 51 from 80 deliveries, with six fours.

Meanwhile, Lancashire have not given up on Brad Hodge returning to play for them this season. Hodge, a regular member of the side earlier this season, has a neck injury but plans to attend a training camp this month. Lancashire's chief executive Jim Cumbes said yesterday: "I spoke to Brad a few days ago and although he is a long way from being match fit there is a slight chance that he may return after training camp.

"He has been replaced by Nathan Astle but they could play together; Law is no longer an overseas player."